Tuesday, April 19, 2016

A WORLD-CLASS 37TH ANNUAL DETROIT JAZZ FESTIVAL LINEUP REVEALED

Drummer Terri Lyne Carrington

Guitarist George Benson

Pianist Jason Moran

The annual Detroit Jazz Festival for many Jazzheads is regarded as sort of Christmas in early September, Four straight days of exposure to some of the most gifted national and international jazz talent the planet has to offer. Known as the largest free music festival the DJF is held in the gut of downtown Detroit over the Labor Day weekend. The DFJ's 2016 lineup was announced at the Detroit Athletic Club Tuesday afternoon. The lineup is major. Some of the headliners are George Benson, Terri Lyne Carrington, Omar Sosa, Randy Weston, Herlin Riley, Marcus Roberts, Freddy Cole, Roy Hargrove, Luciana Souza, and Jason Moran. The DJF’s artist-in-residence is the legendary jazz prophet bassist Ron Carter. Carter is a Detroit native, graduate of Cass Technical High School, and he's played on a staggering 2,000 albums. As a bandleader, Carter has blessed the universe with such memorable jewels as “Where?,” “Piccolo,” “All Blues,” and “Dear Miles”, Carter’s genius will be on display each day of the festival. The festival is full of badass jazz talent. What makes it extra special is the group of Detroit jazz musicians booked. Kirk Lightsey, Louis Hayes, and Charlie Gabriel will perform. There’s a long overdue tribute to one of Detroit’s beloved cultural warriors and jazz intellects the late pianist Kenn Cox. Such a world-class lineup makes it easy to understand why the fest is Christmas in September to many. For a complete list of the Detroit Jazz Festival's lineup visit Detroitjazzfest.com.